Moscow responds to Russian consulate explosion in Marseille

The incident has all the markings of a terrorist attack, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said

The explosion that took place at the Russian consulate in the French city of Marseille on Monday could have been a terrorist attack, according to Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

The Russian consul general in Marseille, Stanislav Oranskiy, has confirmed that the blast took place inside the consulate and that firefighters are currently working at the scene. The consulate told TASS that three explosive devices were thrown onto the grounds, one of which detonated. It is said to have resulted in only some property damage and no casualties.

Commenting on the explosion, Zakharova stated that it had “all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack.” She added that Moscow will demand that Paris take “comprehensive and prompt measures to investigate, as well as steps to strengthen the security of Russian foreign missions.”